Photo by: Kyle Stubbs

Built in 1996, by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders of Freeland, Washington (hull #116) as the Protector for Crowley Marine Services Incorporated of San Francisco, California.

Designed by Naval Architects, Guido Perla and Associates of Seattle, Washington. She was the first Protector class constructed for Crowley Marine Services by the Nichols Brothers Boat Builders

The Protector class was designed for ship assist and escort. The tug features a twin Voith Schneider cycloidal propulsion system.

With a hydrofoil shaped skeg that provides for improved steering, control, and seakeeping ability when the vessel is running at high speeds, in the skeg first direction. The hydrodynamics of the hull resulted in increased tons of steering, and braking forces. Which are available to assist or control a vessel at higher speeds.

The tug was outfitted with a stern "holddown" arragement. That allows the vessel's operator to switch qucikly from an escort mode, to a ship docking mode. The pilothouse control console is arranged for maximum visibility and ease of use. The Protector class, are classed by the ABS as A1 Ocean Services and FFV Class 1. They are fully instrumented, with pilothouse controlled engine rooms, and deck machinery.

Powered by two, six cylinder, Caterpillar 3606 DITA diesel engines. With two, Voith-Schneider cycloidal drives, for a rated 5,500 horsepower.

Photo by: Joel F. Kifer

Photo by: Kyle Stubbs